Lubrication



lJ. BIJUR LUBRICATION April 23, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed July 30, 1923 "'JI INVENTOR Jose/v ywf BY I v 44W,

ATTORNEYS April 23, 1935. 1 BUUR 1,998,437A

LUBRIGATION I Original Filed July 50, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Josep/2 .27g/'av' ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 23, 1935 l LUBRICATION A Joseph Bijur, New York, N. Y., assignor to Auto Research Corporation, a corporationrof Dela- Original application July 30, 1923, Serial No. 654,606. Patent No. 1,779,205, dated lOctober Y 21, 1930. Divided and this application March 22,1930, Serial No. 437,971` i 30 Claims.

My present invention relates primarily to lubrication and is more especially Yconcerned with the lubrication, from a single source, of a iitting having two or more bearings that are relatively displaceable during normal operation.

Although many of the broader features'of the invention-are applicable to the lubrication of various types of chassis tti'ngs or elements, the present application'showsthe invention applied particularly to spring shackles, and certain specialA applications to drag links.

It is an object of therinvention to provide a spring shackle with lubricating appurtenances whichjwill assure proper distribution of oil to each of the two bearings thereof, without excessive overiiow or deficiency at either bearing.

By my invention, I accomplish the object stated, While preserving substantially the simple and rugged construction, and the unobtrusive size and form of. shackles of conventional design, and

avoiding protruding parts that are likely tovbe v destroyed or torn off during use of the vehicle.

The invention may be executed in a construc-V branching ducts to the bearings, which restrictions offer resistance to ilow substantially higher than the bearings. The restrictions are preferably embodied in special drip or seepage plug ttings, which may be applied at the bearings and have minute highY resistance outlets, past which the oil drips at a rate in the order of a few drops per minute, upon application of substantial pressure atta central 'source of oil supply. y

In one embodiment a conduit leads from the sourceof lubricant pressure to the drip plugjat o the bolt on the frame and a duct branching from a part of the conduit contiguous to the shackle, supplies lubricant to the drip plug at the spring bolt, both said conduit and said branching duct being preferablyof such construction, so as to sustain the pressure up to the drip plugs. The branch duct to the spring eye bolt is formed with extra length to afford the needed flexibility for accommodating the relative movement between the spring eye and the frame, said extra length being preferablyv `conformed in a loop or helix specially disposed with respect to the shackle construction to avoid excessive protrusion thereof.

The two drip plugs may be combinedv into a single multiple drip plug fitting applied say atV the upper of the bolts, to drip to the upper bolt from one outlet thereof, and from the other outlet through a passage lengthwise of one of the links to the other bolt. It is understood that thev drip plugs would Vbe formed with outlets, the neness or coarseness of .which is so proportioned relative .to the pressure with which the oil is propelled, as to effect dripY of oil therethrough at a rate in the order KVof a feW- drops per minute.

An alternative embodiment of construction for parallel distribution of lubricant to the two bear# ings and more particularly applicable toconstructions in which thelubricant flowsby gravity head from a point abovethe ttingto the bearings thereof, includes a direct passage tothe upper bearing, a branch passage-preferably lengthwise ofone of the shackle links to theiother bearing,

and a damming plug at the head of the branch passagey to more nearlyequalize the resistancev to `flow 'of the two lubricant paths so, that the lower bearing shall not receive an excess of oil.

In anothergeneral orbroad type of embodiment, the lubricant is directed in series, entering at and lubricating onevbearng fromrwhich part of the lubricant continues in its -flow to the other bearing. In `onevmore specific embodiment of this type, thev lubricant is delivered iirst to the upperr of the bolts and passes byl gravity Atherefrom to the lower. It is preferred in this case to provide a passage in the form of a well, groove or depressionV extending along the bearing surface, a link duct supplying the lower bolt by gravity flow. y f

To avoid protruding conduits, it is preferred to allowthe oil to pass from the upper to the lower bolt, either through an appropriate ductpbored longitudinally through one or both of the links or by a construction in which the duct is formed inthe contacting surfaces of two superposed link elements,welded or rigidly clamped into a unitary composite link element. In the application to spring shackles of the tension type in which the lower bolt is loose or unloaded at the upper surface thereof and pressed rrnly downwardly against the link, `lubricant might be'lost if the conduit through, the link were'passed vwithout special precaution directly from the upper bolt tothe lower. The bore in the link may, accordinglybe specially conformed to deliver the lubricant from the upper bolt to the lower or loaded l preferably to the more readily accessible of the two bearings, the excess beyond the requirements of said inlet bearing being passed on by pressure to the companion bearing. For this purpose, it is important to deliver the lubricant to the inlet bearing more rapidly than it can leaktherefrom, thereby vassuring delivery of lubricantat the other bearings. If the inlet bearing is likely to develop looseness in use, it may be desirable to supply the lubricant thereto in a single charge-or slug, rather than by a dripping action. To assure transmission of lubricant-fromV the inlet to` the other bearing, particularly -in`- constructions in which the latter is at a higher level than the former, it is preferred either to providea check valve normally closing the connectingl duct against loss of lubricant therefrom; an f opening in operation to transmit lubricant, or alternatively to provide an open connecting duct of quite small volume, as, for instance, by inserting into the connecting duct a rodiof diameteronly little less thanthe bore of theduct'.

This application is ia division of my application Serial No. 654,606, iiled.J.uly"301923,A nowpatent No. 1,779,205 granted October 2l, 1930.

Whereas myparent application Serial` No. 654,605, among other.` features, was particularly directed to the featureof supply Ylubricant to the upper unloadedside of the upper bolt'iofa tension shackle arrangement, 'permittingv the oil to flow relatively freely to the ends of. the bolt and-then down to the; lower bearing, thepresent applica'- tion among other features, islparticularly directed to'the featurev ofsupplying lubricant` to the loaded side ofthe upper bolt, so thatthe oil must flow longitudinally or transversely through and/or awayV from the restriction of the loaded bearing surface.- Inthe shackles-to which the present application is particularly-directed, the surface ofthe upper bolt receiving the lubricant is the loaded or restrictedbearing. surface.

the accompanying drawingsin'which are shown some of various i possible embodiments of the several featuresof the invention,v

Fig. l is a viewpartly in longitudinal section of one form of spring shackle construction,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional-view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in` longitudinal cross-section of a spring shackle showing another embodiment,

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 oft a further embodiment,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view takena along the line 5 5 of Figi 4',

l Figs. 6, 7 and 8` areviews'similarI to Fig; 4 of further embodiments,

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary views in longitudinal section of modified formsl of spring shackles.

In the shackle lubricating installation of Figs. l and 2 only theexcess beyond'the lubricant required for said upper bolt passes on to the lower. If the lubricant'were passed'transversely through, rather than along thebolt surface in its path to the lower bolt, it might iind tooeasy apath to the latter, so that inadequate lubricationof the upper bolt would be likely to ensue.

It is generally preferredfto admit the lubricant to each of the bolts at a groove or fiat at anunloaded part thereof, thereby avoidingthe reduction of the eiective wearing-surfaceof the` bearing, which would follow if the groove were'at the loaded surface; It shouldbenoted,however, that many of the advantages of the specic construction described, and of the alternative constructions described hereinafter may be attained even if the lubricant is admitted to either or both of the bolts or bearings at the loaded part thereof.

The shackle maybe fedfrom a central system by drip or seepage plug fitting, as shown in the copending application Serial No. 580,668, led August 9, 1922 or in Patents Nos. 1,632,772,

y 1,734,025 and 1,734,027.

In Figs. l and 2 is shown a form of shackle link in which an elbow drip plug P is illustratively shown iitting in the end of the upper bolt |26 in lieu of an old cup, said drip plug being supplied from a seamless flexible metal pipe or conduit |21 connectedto the source of lubricant on the frame.. The drip plug connects through a duct |28 longitudinally of the upper bolt communicating at its upwardly extending end |29 with a well or depression |30 at the upper or unloaded side of said bolt. In this embodiment, the excess lubricant beyond that requiredrto meet the requirement of the` upper bolt, exudes at theends of the bushing |3|past the loaded bearing surface to ilow along the links |32 and to enter at the ends of the lower bushing 33 by capillary action in orderV to lubricate the lower boltV |34. The lubricant, if desired, may be allowed to flow along the inner exposed surfaces of the links on its way to the lower bolt, in which case, loss of some of the lubricant might be entailed, and dirt'or dust might be carried along tothe lower bolt.

In order to avoid such loss and to avoidfeeding oil charged with dust or dirt picked up from the links, I provide the construction shown in which the usual forged stamped link has superposed thereon, a stamped metal leaf |35 of the same peripheral or external appearance as the link and with a longitudinal groove or duct |36 in the inner surface thereof, connected between the eyes |31 thereof, the latter of diameter somewhat larger than the eye diameter of the link |32, so as to embrace the ends of bushings |3| and |33 as shown. The composite link construction may be at only one of the links, although as shown in the drawings,- it is'preferred to provide itl on both links. Asshown, the upper bushing may be bevelled at its opposite ends, particularly at the lowerrnost part thereof as at |38, and

the lower bushing |33 may be similarly beveled at the uppermost part thereof as at |39 to expedite the flow of excess oilA respectively from the upper bolt and to the lower bolt. The'operation will be apparent, the excess lubricant beyond that for the requirements of the upper bolt, after working its way from the well |30 along the bearing surface, escaping at the notches |38 and flowing down the two ducts |36 and entering through the corresponding notches |39 between the bushing |33 and the lower bolt |34. It will be noted that the bottoms of said notches |38 and |39 are inclined and that said notches form pockets with inclined bottoms.

The construction of Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. l except that the link leaves |40 are devoid of the eyes encircling the bushings, but terminate short of the upper eye |4| and the lower eye (not shown). The links |42 are pressed in usual manner, each against the contiguous end of the eye and bushing |4|. The leaves |40 are Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the link and each is provided with an outstanding lip |43 at its extreme upper end, partially straddling the lower part of the upper eye, said lipsforming troughs to intercept the lubricant dripping from the ends of the upper bearing for delivery through duct M4 to the lower bolt.

rIhe embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and'2 except that in this case, the superposed metal leaf is of the same size and shape as the link to which it is welded and has a channel or groove |46 therein rconnecting the eyes thereof, the lower end of the upper eye having a notch |41 cut thereinto, adjacent the end of the bushing |48, so that the excess lubricant dripping from the upper bolt will pass into the notch |41 and down the grooves |45 to the lower bolt.'

Fig. 6 shows a shackle link construction, as ofy the tension type wherethe loaded surface is at the lower surface of the upper bolt including 'the usual bolt |50 clamping theV parallel links |5| against the eye |52 about the upper bolt, the generally similar lower'endr of the construction being omitted from the drawings. In this embodiment, an elbow-shaped inlet iitting |53 is threaded into the end of the bolt |50 in lieu of an cil cup and has two kpassages |54 and |56 therethrough, through which the single inlet conduit |56 delivers. Passage |54 communicates with a longitudinal duct |5| in the upper bolt, which, in turn, communicates with a Well or fiat 56 at the bearing surface thereof, and lubricant from the other passage |55 passes through a radial duct le!) in the bolt` into a longitudinal duct |6i in the link I5! from whichthelower bolt (not shown) is supplied. In the present embodiment, the bores |54 and |55 ofthe inlet fitting have flowr controlling restrictions, which may be comprise pins |6I and |62 in the passages respectivelyr that greatly reduce the effective cross-section thereof, so that the division of the lubricant from conduit |56 Vwill'be controlled substantially by said restriction pins toV reliably divide the charge or flow -in parallel to theupper and lower bearings. In the'present embodiment, it is assumed that the oil is forced past a drip pluglnot shown) on the chassis frame and thence drops by gravity through conduit |56, the restriction pins |6 I and |62 beingl sufciently loose, to allow the lubricant dropping thereon, to

drip therethrough slowly. r The general arrangement shown in Fig. 6 is also applicable to a gravity-.dow system of the general type disclosedY inV vor at the mainor central station orv at both,`

would be replaced by flow rate controlling restrictions.

it is, of course, understood that the multiple restriction pin outlets of Fig. 6 could be formed with tighter restriction pinsof the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 580,668, filed Aug. 9, 1922, the conduit |56 leading thereto would be of the pressure-tight type to transmit the applied pressure all the way to said drip plugs.

7 shows a shackle construction'identical with that of Fig, 6. A T-tting |63 has its stem |64 threaded into the end of the upper bolt |65 with its cross-bar in vertical relation. Part of the lubricant is supplied by gravity flow from conduit l through Vertical duct |61 in the'YT-tting, horizontalduct |63 on the stein and through the duct |66 formed in the `bolt to the bearing surface thereof. The rest of the lubricant continues downward through the lower arm Il of the T- fitting andthrough 'a pipe or tube |'l| parallel to the links |12 fand 'connected by means of an elbow fitting` (not shown) communicating through a longitudinal duct (not shown) in the lower bolt, from which the bearing surface of the latter is supplied. i Y

In the present embodiment, the lower arm '|15 of the T-iitting has an enlarged bore, plugged with aloose wad |'l3` of felt held in place therein by a perforated friction` cup |14. The upper end ofwad |73 is below the level of bore |68, leaving a well |13 thereabove into which oil may collect for subsequent drainage through the plug |13. This arrangement Vrnay be particularly advantageous toavoid insufficient lubricant at the lower bolt, should the oil become excessively retarded in vits flow through the damrning plug. The pipe is connected `to`the arm I'l by a coupling construction and need Vnot be here described. I have illustrativelyshown theinlet conduit |66 secured to the inlet end of the T-Vtting by means of a union cap |15 which clamps a right-angled flaring flange |16 on said inlet conduit'against an interposed perforated compression washer |19.

In operation, the wad |73 acts `as a damming plug and obviates' the tendency of the lubricant from the inlet conduit |66 to flow largely through the vertical pipe to the lower bearing. The `felt' is of such tightness and such resistance that the downward flow of the lubricant willberetarded sufficiently to assure proper, preferably substantially equally, distribution to the upper and lower bolts. i

Fig. 8` shows a fragmentary'detail of a shackle link generallysimilar in principle tothat of Fig. 7, but of simplified construction. In this case, the felt damming plug v|86 is inserted into a corresponding radial passage ll'rcommunicating with a longitudinal duct |82' inthe upper bolt |83. In this embodiment'also, and for the saine reason as described above in connection with Fig. `'7, the plug |86 terminates below duct |82, leaving a well |86thereabove. The lubricant is supplied to the upper 'bolt by a simple elbow fitting |84 to whichk the inlet tube |85 Vis connected. The'present embodiment as that of Fig. 6 illustratively shows a tension shackle having a link |86 the .duct |81 of whichis kept in proper registry with the damming plug |86 by the intev gral lug |88 on the link, which preventsrotation relative to ther bolt. f-

In Fig. 9 is shown a spring shackle construction of general application*designedl particularly, so that no dirt, dust or waterwcan enter the bearing to interferel withthe' eiiicacy of Vthelubrication thereof. The present embodiment includes the usual pair of'bolts, the upper 36| of which only is shown encircled by the bushing r362 within the eye 363 either of the spring or in the frame, depending on whether the shackle is applied for tension or compression of the linksthereof. The bushingin the present case islonger than Ythe eye as' shown and protrudes therebeyond at bot ends to take the thrust `of thelinks; which are pressed thereagainst Vwhen the bolt 35| .is tightened by threading through the ling364 and secured by the lock nut 365. In the present `embodiment, each link 364 is formed with a stopped annular groove includingv a deeper depression 366 for the ends of the bushing and another and shallower depression 361 coaxial therewith for. accommodating compression .washers 363 encirclingthe bushing ends and of normal thicking 318.

of width less than the thickness ofthe wall of eye 363, so that asthe parts are tightened, the washers 368 will be compressed'and concealed by the contact or substantial contact of the links and ends of the eyes, the thrust, as heretofore noted, beingtaken by bushing 362-.

In this case, I have shown the bushing notched as at 369 at opposite endsithereof in alignment with ducts 310 extending longitudinally of ther links, so that the excess of lubricant supplied say through the drip plug' p at the upper bolt 36|, after working its way along the bearing surface will pass from the bolt 36| through the notches 369 and along ducts 31D to the lower bolt (not shown). In this case, I have illustratively shown a groove 31! in the'bushing in lieu of the well, depression, flat or groove in the bolt shownin other views, said groove being formed in the unloaded side of the bushing.

In Fig. l is shown a fragmentary viewofY a somewhat modified form-of a shackle of the common type in which the nut` 315 on bolt 316 clamps the link 311 against the interposed bush- In lieu of the stepped groove in this case, for accommodating. the bushing end and the washer of Fig. 9, each link is here provided with but a simple annular groove 319 about the eyes, against the inner portion of which the bushing has a thrust fit, the felt washer 380 similar to that shown in Fig. 9 directly encircling the bushing at its extreme end-and fitting snugly in the annular space between the periphery of the groove and the outer surface of the bushing 318.

. The upper bushing 318 is surrounded by the from the upper bearingsurface throughV the duct.

382 to the lower bearing'surface, which it' enters at a .similar cut-awayA portion (not. shown) In both the embodiments of Figs. 9Y and 10, the parts are arranged so vthat theithrustis taken between the link and the endof; thei bushing rather than between the link` and the end ofthe eye, there being a minute clearancecrevice 385 greatly exaggerated in the-drawings between the latter two elements. The felt, leatherorxother washer acts, in effect, as albafile, anydust, dirtV or water which might find itsfway through. the crevice 335- being kept thereby-frompassing through the grooved surface or about the bushing end to the bearings. w

It will be seen-that inthe event 'ofwear between the link and the bushing 362for318,1the subsequent tightening of thebolt in Fig. 9 or of the nut in Fig. l0, may transfer the thrust bearing from the bushing to they eye, in which event the dust and water-proof'V character of the fitting will be substantially preserved since foreign matter could only with diiiiculty pass through the now tightened joint between the linkand'the eye, the washer 368 or 330 blocking the'advance of such foreignmatter to the bearings, as heretofore.

I claim:

l. Means for lubricating the bearings of atwobea ng tting in parallel from a single source of lu .cant pressure, said meansincluding conduit connections having terminals at the bearings and carried by said fitting, said conduit connections ness, greater thanthe; depth ofgroove 361' and.

having restrictions located at one of said bearings controlling the relative rates of flow of the lubricant to bothof the bearings.

2. In a spring shackle, incombination, a pair of parallel bolts, one for a chassis frame eye, the other for a spring eye, -links connecting said bolts, an inlet fitting mounted axially in the upper of said bolts, said fitting` having two outlets, one communicating with the bearing surface of the upper bolt, the other communicating with a transverse duct through said bolt which in turn communicates with a longitudinal duct in one of said links for feeding lubricant to the lower of the bolts, said tting including, a pair of restrictionv pins therein in the path of the respective outlets to control the rate of oil travel therethrough. l

3. In al spring shackle, in combination, a pair of parallelbolts, links connecting said bolts, one of said bolts to be sustained by a spring eye, the other torsustain the eye on the chassis frame, a iitting with a stem and anarm and having its stem mounted in the end of the upper bolt, said bolt being provided with a passageway leading to the bearing surface thereof, the arm of said litting constituting an oil inlet, said tting having a damming plug therein and a duct supplied from the fitting and communicating at its lower end with the lower bolt.

4.1.Means forl lubricating a two-bearing tting in archassis installation, said means comprising a'lubricant inlet to the upper of the bearings and av branch conduit between said inlet and said bearing, and leading to the lower of said bearings, said conduit including a damming element at the upper bearing to prevent excess iiow to the lower bearing, said damming element being interposed between the inlet and-the branched conduit leading to the lower bearing.

5. A spring shackle including bolts, links connecting said bolts, a fitting carried by said shackle and having two outlets, one leading to the bearing surface of the upper bolt and the other communicating with a duct longitudinally of one of said links to supply lubricant by gravity flow to the companion bolt, said fittinghaving flow distribution controlling restriction means.

6. In a spring shackle, in combination, a pair of parallel bolts, links connecting said bolts, one of said bolts to be sustained by a spring eye, the other to sustain the eye on the chassis frame, a single inlet fitting rmounted nearthe upper end of the shackle for supplying lubricant to both the upper and the lower bearing, branch ducts for dividing the oil admitted to said fitting, one ci said ducts leading to the bearing surface of the upper bolt, the other downward to the bearing surface of the lower bolt, and a damming plug in the latter duct to prevent excess flow to the latter bolt.

'7. In a spring shackle, in combination, a pair of parallel bolts, links connecting said bolts, one of said bolts to be sustained by a spring eye, the other to sustain an eye on the chassis frame, an inlet iitting mounted in the end of the upper bolt and supplying an axial duct communicating with the bearing surface thereof, a branch duct supplied from said fitting extending to and continuing through one of said links to the lower bolt, and a damming plug fitted into said tting, said dannning plug being interposed in the course of lubricant ilow to the lower bolt.

8. In a lubricating installation, in combination, bearings, a lubricantline leading, to said bearings to supply the same concurrently andin parallel Lesers-v by gravity flow from a common source, and 'fitting means near theinlets to said bearings having restricted outlets-controlling the rate of feed of lubricant therethrough to the associated bearings. y

9. The combination set'forth in claim 8i inV which the restricted outlets comprise restriction pins or stems fitting in corresponding bores affording suicient clearance for drip at the rate of several drops a minute therethrough under the gravity head.4 Y

10. A two-bearing appurtenance of va vvehicle chassis including a lubricant inlet fitting attached to an upper portion of said appurtenance, said fitting being provided with a single inlet and with two pin restricted outlets to proportionthe lubricant between said outlets, and ducts through the appurtenance leading from said'outlets respectively, to said bearings to be lubricated, saidoutlets being both positioned at one of said bearings.

11. In a motor vehicle of the type having a two-bearing appurtenance with separated rupper and lower bearings, each having inner and outer bearing elements with loaded and unloadedbearing surfaces, and one Yelement of one of said separatedbearings being connected to one element of the other separated bearing by an interven` ing rigid structure included in said appurtenance; the combination therewithvof a lubricating installation having a source of lubricant supply at the upper bearing to supply both bearings, and a plurality of conduits extending through said appurtenance', one supplyingV the" upper bearing and another extending from adjacent the upper' Y to supply the lower bearing and having its inlet restricted at the upper bearing to limit the lubricant supply to the lower bearing.

12. The installation of claim 11, in which the lower bearing is supplied in series from the upper bearing and in which the loaded surface of the upper bearing serves to restrict the lubricant supply to the lower bearing.

13. The installation of claim 1l, in which said inlet includes a restriction fitting positioned at the upper bearing.

14. The installation of claim ll, in which said first mentioned conduit supplies lubricant to the unloaded side of the upper bearing and the second mentioned conduit conveys lubricant from the loaded side of the upper bearing to the loaded side of the lower bearing, the lubricant supplied to the lower bearing flowing through the loaded portion of the upper bearing.

15. The installation of claim 11, in which said first mentioned conduit supplies lubricant to the middle of the upper bearing and the second mentioned conduit supplies lubricant to the end of the lower bearing from the end of the upper bearing.

16. The installation of claim l1, in which said first mentioned conduit supplies lubricant to the upper side of the upper bearing and said second mentioned conduit supplies lubricant to the upper side of the lower bearing from the lower side of the upper bearing.

17. A spring shackle, comprising a pair of bolts, a bushing on the frame supported on one of the bolts, a spring eye bushing supporting the other bolt, connecting links between said bolts, a leaf rigidly secured against the inner surface of one of said links, and a longitudinal lubricant conduit groove along the contacting surfaces of said link and said leaf and communicating with corresponding notches in the bushings, and means for supplying lubricant to the upper bolt, whereby excess Vfrom the Vupper bearing "will drain through the link conduit-tothelowei bolt.

18. A dust and! water-tightbearing comprising in combinatioma bolt,'-a bushing encircling said bolt, end cap members, means pressing said end cap members against the ends of said'bushing, a metallic ey'e shorter than .said bushing and encirclingthesame' arid-V compressible washers in corresponding channels'i'n said capmeinbers and pressedV against said eye when the cap members are tightened against said bushing, Y

19. As an article of manufacture, a spring shackle linkr having a stamped metal leaf of the size and shapeiof said link superposed .thereover and rigidly securedtliereto, said superposed leaf having eyes larger 'than those of said link toaccommodate the spring eye .and frame bushings, said leaf having a longitudinal groove" at its inner surface connecting the eyes thereof and forming an oil conveying channel with said link.V

20. InV combination, a pair of parallel bolts, shackle links connecting the same, a bushing on the' chassis frame' encircling oneiof said bolts, a spring eye bushing 'encirclingthe other bolt, said b'oltsin'cluding 'meansV to press said links against said bushings, each of Vsaid linksbeing provided with a longitudinal'. lubricant conduit connecte. ing the uuper and the lower bolts and having its eye encircling the bushing and each said bushing `being notched adjacent the longitudinal groove for ease of lubricant flow fromthe upper tothe lower bushing.

2l; A spring shackle'cons'truc'tion of the type including a'paino'fparallel bolts, links connecting said bolts, oneof said bolts -to be encircled by the spring eye and bushing thereof, the other by an eye on the frame and a bushingtherein; the construction in which one of said links has a superposed stamped metal plate welded thereto, said plate of the same contour as said link with eyes concentric with the bolt eyes of said link, said plate having a longitudinal groove in the inner surface thereof 4forming an oil conveying channel with said link.

22. In a lubricating device for the shackle connections of a vehicle spring suspension, the combination of an upper and a lower shackle bolt; bearing surfaces in which said bolts are supported; a pocket with an inclined bottom provided in said bearing surfaces; means for supplying oil through one of said bearing surfaces to the surface of said upper bolt and to one of said pockets; and connections between said pockets for leading the used oil from the surface of said upper bolt to the surface of said lower bolt.

23. In a lubricating device for the shackle connections of a vehicle spring suspension, the combination of an upper and a lower shackle bolt, bearing surfaces in which -said bolts are supported comprising the bores of connecting links, a pocket with an inclined bottom provided in said bearing surfaces, means for supplying oil through one of said bearing surfaces to the surface of said upper bolt and to one of said pockets, and connections between said pockets for leading the used oil from the surface of said upper bolt to the surface of said lower bolt.

24. In a lubricating device for the shackle connections of a vehicle spring suspension, the combination of an upper and a lower shackle bolt, a sleeve for said upper bolt, a sleeve for said lower bolt, a link connecting said upper and lower bolts provided with bores forming bearings for said bolts, a pocket in each of said bores having an inclined bottom, a passage joining said pockets,

an oil supply, and connections leading oil through the sleeve of said upper bolt, whereby oil may be iirst used on the surface of said upper bolt and then lead to the surface of saidV lower bolt.

25. In a lubricating device for the shackle connections of a vehicle spring suspension, the combination of an upper andY a lower shackle bolt, a sleeve for said upper bolt provided with a radial bore, a sleeve for said lower bolt, a link connecting said upper and lower bolts provided with transverse bores forming bearings for said bolts, a pocket in each of said bores having an inclined bottom, a passage joining the bottoms of said pockets, an oil supply, and connections leading oil through the radial bore of the sleeve of said upper bolt whereby oil may be first used on the bearing surface of said upper bolt and then lead to `,the bearing surface of 'said lower bolt.

26. In a dust-proof springshackle, in combination, a pair of parallel bolts, bushings encircling said bolts, eyes shorter than said bushings encircling the same, parallel links nearY opposite ends of said bolts connecting the same, compressible gaskets encircling the bushings and fitting in corresponding channels in said links, means drawing said links tight against said washers to press said washers against the corresponding eyes, an inlet fitting to upply lubricant to the upper bolt and channel means longitudinally through one of said links to pass lubricant from said upper to the lower bolt.

27. A dust and water-tight bearing comprising in combination, a bolt, a bushing encircling said bolt, end members having annular grooves accommodating the ends of said bushingyan eye shorter than said bushing encircling the same, and compressible gaskets encircling said bushings and fitted between said end members and said eye in corresponding grooves, the entire end face of each of said gaskets being contacted by the corresponding end of said eye.

28. A dust and water-tight bearing comprising a bolt, end members having simple annular grooves concentric with said bolts, bushings encircling said bolts and tting into said grooves, eyes shorter than said bushings, and compressible gaskets encircling the ends of said bushings and tted between said bushings and the outer peripheries of the grooves and pressed by said eyes against said end members.

29. A dust and water-tight bearing comprising a pair of parallel bolts, links having simple annular grooves concentric with said bolts, bushings encircling said bolts and tting into said grooves, eyes shorter than said bushings encircling the same, compressible gaskets encircling the ends of said bushings and fitted between said eyes and the outer peripheries of `the grooves and pressed by said eyes against said links, and outlet duct means along said links for delivering excess lubricant from the upper of the bolts to the lower.

30. The combination set forth in claim 29 in which the longitudinal ducts extend through the links contiguous to the gasket and in which the partition wall between the bushing and the duct is omitted adjacent the bushing for facility in delivery of lubricant to and from the duct.

JOSEPH BIJ UR. 

